chased leading pair at fast pace, led narrowly travelling well over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd inside final furlong weakened to 4th post
held up in 5th and well off the pace, headway under pressure over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, reminder soon after start, outpaced in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd post
tracked leading trio and well off the pace, closed over 2f out, ridden to lead on outside over 1f out, soon clear, driven right out
pressed leader at fast pace, led 4f out until over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
Jeremy Noseda's High Importance deserves to get his head in front having run some decent races in defeat including when a close third beaten just three-quarters of a length in a Thirsk handicap last time but he may have to settle for minor honours again in a race where course form may prove vital with PATAVIUM PRINCE preferred to Ocean Countess. Julia Feilden's filly won well over course and distance in April and has run some decent races here in two further races since then both over today's trip but she is off the same mark again today and may once more have to settle for minor honours. Sylvester Kirk's Berbice has struggled against the handicapper since winning at Kempton in October, while Mini Max remains a maiden after nine starts and is likely to remain so after this run. John Akehurst's Super Frank has run to a consistent level of form and should be thereabouts again but he is probably better over a furlong shorter and preference is for Patavium Prince. Jo Crowley's gelding won well here last year and made an encouraging return over course and distance when finding Seneschal just two lengths too good last month. He has solid claims racing off the same mark today and can go one better.
Berbice (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway and switched left 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 13l behind Kingswinford (9-6) at Salisbury 7f clm stks (5) gd in Jun.
Patavium Prince (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) In touch, headway 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd last half furlong, no chance with easy winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Seneschal (9-1) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Ocean Countess (IRE) 15-8fav (9-12) Soon pushed along in rear, hampered on rail inside final 4f, switched right to outside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd last strides, almost snatched 2nd, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Seneschal (9-1) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
High Importance (USA) 13-8fav (9-7) Chased winner, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Chambers (8-8) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Super Frank (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden along halfway, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 15, 3/4l behind Forest Dane (9-9) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Mini Max 7-2fav (8-8) Dwelt, mid-division, chased leaders halfway, effort approaching final furlong, weakened closing stages, 6th of 9, 7l behind Barlaman (9-3) at Brighton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
